Jim Fuchs

While at Yale, Jim Fuchs won the NCAA and the AAU shot in 1949 and 1950. Between July 1949 and August 1950 he set four world records; his last mark of 58-10¾ (17.95) remained the world record for almost three years. He also added three indoor world records with the shot in 1950-51. He won the shot put and the discus throw at the 1951 Pan American Games and he was also a fine sprinter. After leaving Yale, where he was also a football star, he joined the New York AC and won three AAU indoor shot titles (1951-1953). During his peak years, Fuchs was invincible and he had a winning streak of 88 shot put victories before losing to Parry O’Brien at the 1951 AAU outdoor meet.

In business, Fuchs was also highly successful. He spent 20 years as a communications executive with Curtis Publishing and Mutual Sports, of which he became President. From 1971-94, he was chairman and chief executive of Fuchs, Cuthrell & Co., a company which assisted with corporate executive placement. In 1981 he and New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner established the Silver Shield Foundation, which gave financial aid to surviving children of New York metropolitan area police officers who were killed in the line of duty.

Personal Bests: SP – 17.95 [58-10¾] (1950); DT – 52.60 [172-7] (1949).